Phosphorylation of Janus kinase 1 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and 6 in keratinocytes of canine atopic dermatitis

Abstract Background Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a disease associated with Type 2 helper T (Th2) immune responses in the acute phase of the disease. In humans, keratinocytes are activated by Th2 cytokines via the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. However, the activation of keratinocytes by Th2 cytokines in cAD has not yet been demonstrated. Hypothesis/objectives To evaluate keratinocyte activation based on the phosphorylation (p) of JAK1, STAT3 and STAT6. Animals Seven dogs with cAD and three healthy dogs. Materials and methods Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect pJAK1, pSTAT3 and pSTAT6 in keratinocytes in normal canine skin, and the skin of atopic dogs. In the latter group samples were collected from both primary and secondary lesions, and nonaffected skin. Results The percentage of pJAK1‐positive keratinocytes was significantly higher in primary cAD lesions than in healthy skin ( p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in pSTAT3‐positive keratinocytes among the groups. The percentage of pSTAT6‐positive keratinocytes was significantly higher in primary and secondary lesions than in healthy skin ( p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions and clinical relevance The novel finding in this study was the activation of keratinocytes as demonstrated by the phosphorylation of JAK1/STATs in lesional and nonlesional cAD skin. These results suggest the potential of not only JAK1, but also of STAT6 as therapeutic targets for cAD.